Marty walked around the truck to find Emma watching him expectantly as he caught up with her. “Do you have the list?”
Marty tapped his back pocket. “Yep.”
Emma tugged at her shirt again. The summer breeze whipped some of her hair into her eyes. She brushed it back and anchored it behind her right ear as they strode across the parking lot to their destination.
The lady just inside the door checked everyone’s IDs as they passed. When she spotted Marty, she smiled brightly. “Welcome to Costco. I’m Maria.” She stepped forward and shook his hand, letting her hand linger in his. “Is there anything you need help finding?”
If Emma’s ill-concealed eyeroll was any indication, she’d noticed as well. For that reason alone, he smiled back at the employee. “I’m good. But I do appreciate it, Maria.” He gave her a wink.
“Well, you know where I am if that changes. Have a wonderful day.” She continued to eye him as several customers went by, barely glancing up long enough to take in their IDs.
“I’m sure I will,” Marty said with a smile in the woman’s direction. “You do the same.” He turned in time to catch an obvious look of disapproval from his co-worker. “What? Are you opposed to having a nice day?” Then he fought back a chuckle when Emma squared her shoulders and marched ahead, leading the way to the bottled drink aisle.
She’d probably be upset if she knew he didn’t mind the view. One thing was certain: The woman filled out a pair of jeans nicely. Marty didn’t bother to hide his grin as they wound their way through the store.
Once there, he withdrew the list and spread it out so they could both read it. They began to load the cart with varieties of Gatorade and bottled water. Marty easily carried two cases at a time while Emma struggled with one. She put it down and turned to get another.
“I can handle these if you want to check things off as we go.”
Emma leveled him with a glare. “I’m good.”
“Suit yourself.” Marty shrugged.
When they finished getting everything on the list, Marty pushed the cart toward the front of the store where they could check out. As they approached a cash register, Emma withdrew the business debit card Caleb had given her and then picked up the scanner.
Marty held out his hand. “I’ve got that.”
Emma began to object but handed him the scanner instead. It didn’t take long to finish paying for everything.
With her gaze fixed on the exit ahead, Emma led the way out. They passed the food court and Marty raised his voice, “Hey, Emma.” She swiveled to look at him. “I’m going to grab a pretzel before we head back. You want anything?”
She hesitated. “Yeah. We might as well. I don’t know about you, but I almost never get out this way.”
With a nod, he found a spot to park their cart, and they got in line. Marty motioned for her to go first. She ordered a pretzel sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar then waited for it while he ordered his soft pretzel with salt.
Minutes later, they had their snacks and were on their way to the parking lot again. Marty ate most of his pretzel by the time they got to the truck. He finished it off with a flourish then began to load flats of drinks into the bed of the truck. Emma steered the empty cart toward the basket parking area. On her way back to the truck, she took another bite of her pretzel.
Marty waited for her to get settled then started the truck. “That didn’t take us too long.”
“No, it didn’t.” She broke off a piece of her pretzel. “Let’s get back to the gym.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He started the engine, cranked up the air conditioner, and turned on the radio.
They rode the rest of the way to the gym without speaking. Marty backed his truck up to the main door where it’d be easier to unload.
Caleb met them with a dolly. “Thanks, guys. Looks like you got everything.”
Emma nodded as she withdrew the company’s debit card and handed it to him. “We should be set for a while.”
Caleb took the card and tucked it into his pocket. “Head on in, Emma. Marty and I will haul everything to the storage closet.” Once she had, he turned to Marty. “Is it me, or did it get cold out here?”
“You’re the one who insisted we go together.” Marty motioned to the building. “I truly don’t know what her problem is.”
“I think the two of you have a lot more in common than either of you realize.”
“Oh? Like what?”
Caleb held his hands up. “It’s not for me to say, brother. Just know she’s dealing with a lot, not unlike yourself.” He gave Marty a knowing look.
